Tamworth Regional Council opts not to fund intersection fix

COUNCIL DIVIDED: Funding for the notorious intersection at Moore Creek Rd and Browns Ln is in the spotlight again. Photo: Haley Craig

COUNCIL are banking on federal funding to help curb the growing number of car accidents in a fast-developing part of town.

Tamworth councillors reckon their a good chance of landing $800,000 from the federal government through the 2018/19 Black Spot program to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Browns Ln and Moore Creek Rd

The odds must be good, with a last minute push for council to fully-fund the roundabout’s construction scuttled at its last meeting.

A report considered by Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) said “the intersection has shown an increase in motor vehicle accidents”, over the last two to three years.

“Almost all of the accidents can be attributed to Browns Ln traffic failing to give way to Moore Creek Rd traffic,” the report said.

If TRC secures the Black Spot funding, work on the intersection won’t be able to start until the 2018/19 financial year, which proved to be a sticking point for Cr Juanita Wilson, who tried to move an amendment calling on council to fully-fund the project.

“Our infrastructure isn’t keeping up and this is clear example,” she said.

The amendment was quickly shot down by Glenn Inglis, Phil Betts and Russell Webb who all held firm that TRC was “a good chance” to land funding.

Council missed out on federal funding for the intersection in the 2015/16 round of federal funding.

“Spending $850,000 will not stop accidents,” Cr Betts said.

“I’d like to see the speed limits reduced again.”

Cr Webb said it would be “foolish” to stump up for the project when council is trying “to find ways to and means to save money around the place”.

The move found support in Mark Rodda and deputy mayor Helen Tickle who aired concerns about the growing number of accidents.

As interim measures to stem more accidents, TRC has installed larger give way signs at the intersection, redone line-marking on the roads while vowing increase the frequency of roadside slashing.

About two years ago

TAMWORTH Regional Council is aiming to construct a roundabout at the accident prone Moore Creek Rd and Browns Ln intersection by the end of this financial year, but local residents say it can’t come soon enough.

TRC’s director of regional services, Peter Resch, said a roundabout is “ultimately part of the overall plan, but exactly when is subject to traffic generation and funding”. Read more.